Florida braces for 'dirty rain' as massive cloud of Saharan dust rolls in

Meteorologists have warned Florida to prepare for 'dirty rain' as a plume of Saharan dust is set to engulf the state this weekend.

Thunderstorms are forecasted for the Sunshine State on Saturday and Sunday that will combine with the dust particles and leave a film on everything the droplets touch.

While the tainted precipitation and plume are mostly harmless, experts have urged people with respiratory issues to wear face coverings outside.

The enormous plume was formed by strong winds sweeping tiny sand and mineral particles off the surface of the Sahara - and the current wave is the largest of the season.

FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin said: 'You have this creepy layer of gross stuff on your car; you’re like, it’s not pollen, it’s dust.

'Look out for the dust collecting. Also, if it lands on your (air conditioner), it can clog it up, so (it's a) good idea to spray off your units.'

Every summer the wind carries large amounts of desert dust particles from the hot and dry desert in northern Africa westerly across the Atlantic.

Large amounts of dust particles from the African desert are swept up into the dry air by thunderstorms and strong winds near the ground.

The dust can then float for days, or weeks, depending on how dry, fast and turbulent the air masses become

The plume of Saharan dust traveled more than 4,000 miles from Africa over the last month or so, passing over central Florida by Wednesday.

However, the dust is expected to linger into the weekend when thunderstorms are predicted to roll in.

And the combination of the rain and dust will create 'splotches of mud left on surfaces,' according to FOX Weather.

The Saharan dust hit the eastern coast of Florida earlier this month, which enhanced sunrises and sunsets by scattering more light in the sky.

While the dust plume may annoy Americans, it is a good sign amid hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center reported active tropical waves are coming off the African coast, but the dust particles absorb sunlight and act as an air stabilizer to reduce tropical waves so cyclones can’t develop.

This year is projected to be one of the most active on record, with 24 named storms predicted to occur, 11 of which are expected to escalate into hurricanes.

The Sahara dust forms over the African desert every spring, extending one to three miles above the surface and reaching thousands of miles in length.

Outbreaks usually occur every three to five days until they peak in mid-June through mid-August, often bringing colorful and hazy sunsets to the Florida coast characterized by their yellow and red hues.

As the dust travels toward the US, a dry pocket of air forms thousands of feet above sea level, it will bring drier air and hotter conditions, suppressing tropical developments like hurricanes by removing the moisture they need to form.

They also form strong winds in the upper areas of the dust plume, which can reach up to 60 miles an hour and rip cloud tops off any tropical hurricanes.

The plume in 2020 was the largest on record, earning the name 'Godzilla.'

Data showed it was between 60 to 70 percent dustier than average, making it the dustiest event since records began around 20 years ago.

Although the small particles can trigger air quality alerts and irritate those with respiratory issues, the dust can also enhance sunsets, suppress tropical storm development and play an important role in our ecosystem.

The dust is a major source of nutrients for phytoplankton – microscopic marine plants that drift on or near the ocean’s surface/

Some of the minerals from the dust fall into the ocean, triggering blooms of phytoplankton to form on the ocean surface, which in turn provides food for other marine life.

The dust is also essential for life in the Amazon as it replenishes nutrients in rainforest soils, which would otherwise be depleted by frequent rainfall.